Michael Jordan paternity case dismissed by woman who filed lawsuit

The paternity lawsuit against basketball legend
Michael Jordan didn't last long. After filing a claim in February that Jordan had fathered her 16-year-old son,
Pamela Smith dropped the suit Friday,
Reuters reports. Jordan denies he is the child's father, and has filed a counter suit against Smith for making false claims.

Smith's attorney,
Randy Kessler, specifically notes that the case was dismissed without prejudice, meaning it can be refiled in the future. When Smith initially filed the lawsuit, she did so without legal representation. "She then hired our firm just before the first court appearance. Ms. Smith has relied on our advice and determined that dismissal at this time, without prejudice, is in her son's best interests," Kessler says.

Estee Portnoy, Jordan's spokeswoman, released a statement saying a settlement was not reached, and no money was paid in exchange for having the suit dropped. According to Jordan's legal team, Smith once admitted during a divorce proceeding that her ex-husband was the young man's father.